| ISPA 2026 New York Congress - Schedule of Events |
 Quick LinksAbout NY26 Registration Information Getting Here Schedule Hotel Volunteers Sponsorship & Advertising Thanks to Our Sponsors Coffee Klatch ISPA Out on the Town Delegate List WordlySchedule of Events All information is subject to change. Last updated on January 6, 2026. Click the tabs below to explore ISPA NY26 Congress programming! New York
Scheduled Events Times in Eastern Standard Time
(all times and program subject to change) Seminar Day & Pre-Congress9:00 - 17:00
Seminar Day (ISPA Fellows and invited guests)
9:30 – 17:00
Committee Meetings (By Invitation)
9:30 - 10:30 | Finance/ Audit Committee 17:30 - 19:30
Partner and Donor Reception (By Invitation)
New York
Scheduled Events Times in Eastern Standard Time
(all times and program subject to change) Congress Day 19:00 – 11:00
Executive Meeting (by invitation)
11:30 – 15:45
Registration/Check-in (coffee)
11:30 – 12:30
New Member Welcome / Community Building Program
13:00 – 13:30
Opening Ceremony and WelcomeSpeakers
David Baile 
Murielle Borst Tarrant 
Alfonso Leal del Ojo 
Josephine Ridge 
Paul Tam 13:30 – 14:15
ProvocationSpeaker
Nicola Benedetti 14:15 – 14:30
Regional Update | PanamaSpeaker
Isaac Casal 14:30 – 15:00
Network and Refresh
15:00 – 16:45
Session 1 | Breaking Out of the Silo: Cross-Sector CollaborationHow can collaboration with other sectors expand opportunities, community, and possibilities for the performing arts? What are successful examples of cross-sector collaboration, and how are they mutually beneficial? While commercial opportunities may generate new revenue, how do we balance them with mission? Speakers and Moderator*
Tola Akerele 
Tracy Day* 
Adriane V. Jefferson 
Samuel Wong 17:30 – 20:30
Opening Reception20:30
Cocktail Klatch
New York
Scheduled Events
Times in Eastern Standard Time
(all times and program subject to change) Congress Day 29:00 – 16:30
Registration/Check-in (coffee)
10:00 – 12:00
Pitch New WorksClick to view the handout and learn more about the Pitch Projects! Host
Anthony Sargent CBE 12:00 – 13:30
ProEx (Professional Exchange)/Lunch13:30 – 13:45
Regional Update | VietnamSpeaker
Trà Nguyễn 13:45 – 14:30
14:30 – 15:45
Session 2 | Adapting to Change: Responses to Shifting Funding PrioritiesAs funding priorities shift and shortfalls escalate across the arts sector globally, many arts organizations and artists are grappling with how to sustain programs and continue both local and international work. Speakers and Moderator*
Sami Daoud 
Martin Inthamoussu* 
Kelly Langgard
Paul Tam 15:45 – 16:15
Network and Refresh
16:15 – 17:30
Session 3 | Industry Forum: The Arts and Technology - AIThis session brings together leading artists, technologists, and cultural thinkers to explore how AI and related technologies impact the arts and society. Speakers and Moderator*
Yuxi Cao 
Kevin Cunningham* 
Annie Dorsen 
Victor Morales 19:00 – 23:30
ISPA Out on the Town
20:30
Cocktail Klatch
New York
Scheduled Events
Times in Eastern Standard Time
(all times and program subject to change) Congress Day 39:00 – 15:00
Registration/Check-in (coffee)
9:00 – 10:00
Session 4 | Coffee Klatch“Coffee Klatch" (/ˈkaf-fee-klach/) offers an opportunity to engage in an intimate and informal discussion with up to 10 other delegates. Discussion topics were submitted by delegates, and conversations will be all delegate-led! What’s on your mind? Click to view more detail and sign-up now through 5:00 PM EST, Thursday, January 8, 2026 while space is available. 10:15 – 11:30
Breakout SessionsAdvocacy: Strategies for ChangeIn many parts of the world, censorship and restrictive policies are longstanding realities for artists and cultural institutions. This session gathers global perspectives on how advocates and organizations are defending creative freedom, amplifying diverse voices, and resisting policies that limit expression and access. Speakers and Moderator*
Ana Corbett 
Marie Fol 
Brandall C. Jones* 
Ashley Tucker Design: Innovation in Live PerformanceFrom immersive environments to interactive technologies, design for live performance is being transformed across every element — AR/VR, sound, lighting, set, projection, and beyond. How are artists and organizations integrating the latest tools and approaches into venues, productions, and collaborations? Speakers and Moderator*
Jon Faris* 
Rasean Davonté Johnson 
Adam Hockley 
Kathryn Nolan 11:45 – 13:00
Lunch
13:00 – 13:10
13:10 – 13:50
ProvocationSpeaker
Omar Rajeh 13:50 – 14:00
Regional Update | BelarusSpeaker
Katsiaryna Saladukha 14:00 – 15:30
Session 5 | Creative Resistance: How the Arts Respond to Conflict and CrisisGeopolitical unrest, conflict, and economic volatility continue to affect artists and organizations. Yet the arts remain a potent source of resilience, awareness, and community. Speakers and Moderator*
Iman Aoun 
Kyu Choi 
Fizza Hasan* 
Kent Monkman 
Ximena Vargas 15:30 – 16:00
Network and Refresh
16:00 – 16:15
Invitation to Singapore16:15 – 17:00
ISPA Awards PresentationAwardees
Amir Nizar Zuabi 
Dame Carol Colburn Grigor, DBE 
Gary Dunning 
Gaurav Kripalani* 20:30
Cocktail Klatch
New York
Scheduled Events Times in Eastern Standard Time
(all times and program subject to change) 10:00 - 12:00
ISPA Board meeting (by invitation)
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